1-0 defeat to Arsenal (Arsenal!). Utterly unconvincing in a 1-0 win over West Brom.
But away from home? Away from home is where the magic happens. United absolutely come alive on the road, and Bramall Lane right now is about as inviting an away ground as you could wish to visit. Arguably the ground and, by association, team most dramatically affected by the absence of fans, Sheffield United are also, it must be said, dramatically affected right now by being unable to complete the most rudimentary defensive tasks or rely in any way on their goalkeeper.
That was a double talking point here, because Solskjaer – keen student of narrative that he is – chose this game to take the plunge and throw Dean Henderson in goal in place of David De Gea. Obviously, at the ground where Henderson forged his reputation with a couple of near-faultless seasons, first in the promotion campaign and then in last year’s staggering overachievement, he took just five minutes to make the worst mistake he has ever made here. Henderson was mugged by Oli Burke and David McGoldrick gratefully accepted a gift that lands perfectly in Early Christmas Present territory. Ho ho ho.